34 Break

"Okay," the system said indifferently. "May everything go smoothly for the host."

She lowered her eyes and stopped talking. In her heart, she knew that the system did not want her to die because it still needed a so-called host to maintain the stability of the world.

If she dies, given the current level of affection the male lead has for her, Yin Li is likely to become emotionally agitated, and the artifact will fall into the hands of the villains, which would be the real end of the world.

As for why the system gave her the option to pursue the male lead when she failed her first mission, she didn't know, but she didn't want to guess. After all, the initial mission was linked to affection points, so she decided to try again.

Chu Qing understood that today's sword strike would likely make Yin Li believe that all her past efforts had ulterior motives, and it would be strange if her favorability rating wasn't negative.

The static world began to turn again. With the Fire Dance Spirit Pearl in hand, even though Wen Ruyu had obtained the artifact's true form, he still couldn't control even a tenth of its power. Moreover, his divine sense was connected to the Heaven-Destroying Wheel, and the slightest carelessness would lead to self-destruction.

Therefore, when Wen Ruyu hurriedly fled with Ye Lang this time, Hua Qi and his group did not have time to stop them, and Chu Qing did not take the initiative to stop them again.

She couldn't stop them anymore.

The pain from the demonic energy corroding her heart meridian lingered for a long time. If it weren't for her high cultivation level, she probably wouldn't have been able to hold on until now. Currently, the meridians in her body are showing signs of cracking.

Is this the power of the Heaven-Destroying Wheel? What about Yin Li? Chu Qing subconsciously looked to the side and saw him lying on the ground, clutching his chest, his face deathly pale, his lips devoid of any color. He had blocked most of the attack for her, and he was probably suffering even more than she was now.

But when the other party noticed Chu Qing's gaze, he subconsciously forced a smile, meaning to reassure her and tell her not to worry.

Fool

The deserter's figure receded further and further into the distance. Once Wen Ruyu was certain that he had escaped, the summoned magical beasts seemed to sense their master's departure and ceased their fighting. The entire tide receded once more.

The trial grounds were awash in blood and carnage, a living hell.

After all the devastation, all that remained, besides the survivors, was a state of utter despair.

Amidst the smoke of battle, countless sects suffered casualties in this horrific war, but those cultivators who sacrificed their lives for the greater good of the world never retreated.

However, although there seemed to be a moment of calm, it was not over yet.

Warcraft is gone, but it has left behind the biggest threat to the demon race.

"Yin Li, you stole the Fire Dance Spirit Pearl and practiced demonic techniques. Your crimes are unforgivable!" Xu Zhi Qiu had just recovered from the battle. Without saying a word, he accurately predicted the location and launched his attack.

After Yin Li was severely injured by the divine artifact, most of his purplish-red demonic energy leaked out uncontrollably, making it impossible for him to resist attacks. Now, he probably can't even use any magic.

"Bang!"

The sound of spiritual energy striking her body was extremely loud, completely pulling Chu Qing back to reality. Her heart tightened, and she tried to pull Yin Li away the moment he was attacked, but she was still a beat too slow, and all that remained in her hand was a piece of blood-stained cloth.

The autumn wind was bleak, scattering the yellowed leaves and landing on the boy who was struggling to get up. He tried to support his heavy body with his arms, but without exception, he fell heavily back to the ground each time.

At this moment, many disciples also came to their senses. They stepped forward and formed a semi-encirclement around Yin Li, behind whom was a bottomless cliff.

"Elders, Yin Li is my disciple, so I should be the first to be judged."

Chu Qing stood opposite Xu Zhi Qiu, facing the gazes of all the sects. Despite her words, she herself did not realize how much she wanted to protect him with her posture.

“This—” Xu Zhiqiu hesitated, but Hua Qi stopped him, “Elder Xu, there are still many matters over there that require your assistance. As for dealing with the demons, I have some experience.”

He subtly blocked Xu Zhiqi's view and found a way to get rid of her.

But under the watchful eyes of everyone, including Yin Li, it was clear that no one could protect him.

"Master—" He endured the excruciating pain of being devoured by a thousand ants, slowly rose to his kneeling position, and uttered no more words of explanation.

How could he not hope that his master would say a few words for her, even if it meant delaying the matter? But he had neither the courage nor the reason to.

Despite the current crisis, Yin Li was pondering another matter that was puzzling him.

He didn't understand. From the beginning of the trial, his master had been by his side. She knew he had half-demon blood, and when they were in Qingshan Town, she should have known who had the Xuanbing Spirit Orb. But she had always tacitly approved of his actions and had never shown any intention of asking about the Spirit Orb.

Why is this?

Master followed him into the illusion again, and even helped him block Wen Ruyu's attack. In Yin Li's original view, all of this was Chu Qingge's way of making him stronger so that he could protect himself, and also to prevent Wen Ruyu from becoming suspicious and taking other actions.

But looking back now, things are not as simple as he thought.

Although his goal since becoming a disciple has always been to become stronger, break free from the control of Green Mountain Peak, and find the Fire Dance Spirit Orb to enhance his demonic energy.

However, Yin Li pondered deeply. Whether it was Chu Qingge before or his master now, he prided himself on never revealing anything to them. Therefore, his master could not possibly know his ultimate goal. So, all his actions could only be explained in one way.

Amidst the desolation and cold wind, the young man's face was deathly pale and tragic. His hair was disheveled and stained with blood, and his cascading black hair danced in the wind, broken and filled with despair.

Yin Li smiled bitterly; he understood.

From beginning to end, it was nothing but his own wishful thinking.

Chu Qingge's elaborate and secretive actions were likely intended to use him to obtain the Spirit Pearl, or even a divine artifact.

But why did she choose me from the beginning of Crescent Moon Town? Wasn't Mo Yu more obedient and more trusted by her?

Could it be that Master knew about his bloodline from the beginning, and that his bloodline was the best way to find the Fire Dance Spirit Orb, which is why she chose him?

But if that's the case, how do you explain that Chu Qingge knew his secret so early on?

Yin Li couldn't understand it, nor did he want to. He deceived himself into thinking that it was all caused by his overly sensitive and suspicious personality. Apart from the time he deliberately exposed his demonic energy, he had never made any mistakes.

The master doesn't possess any so-called prophetic abilities, so how could he possibly have guessed it?

But there is another explanation—Yin Li was unwilling to think any further, but her thoughts were uncontrollably drawn toward the truth.

She went along with it after learning about her bloodline, but why did she want to seize the divine artifact?

Could it be that she and Hua Qi had planned this all along? Perhaps they initially only wanted to guard against Wen Ruyu, but they didn't expect him to be so foolish as to expose himself, just for that bit of pity and favoritism, which gave them the opportunity.

Therefore, everything was a lie and a deception!

Master, it turns out you've been using me all along. All those ordinary days of protecting me were just for this outcome.

In an instant, her heart, brimming with love and passion, was frozen solid. The ice shards within tore through her flesh, and an overwhelming mix of hatred and love intertwined and tore at the depths of her soul. At this moment, it finally materialized—large, scalding tears fell from Yin Li's eyes, warm and wet, disappearing into the dry dust.

Chu Qing quickly noticed the boy's constantly changing expression. He finally looked up at her—it was resentment, regret, struggle, and disbelief.

But in the end, it couldn't hide the pain in the other person's eyes.

Another gust of wind blew up, and huge waves crashed against her chest. She felt cold all over and was in pain all over her body. It was as if her body was being torn apart by an unseen beast, and her limbs were being tortured.

Chu Qing tried hard to squeeze out a few syllables, but was completely choked by the bitterness in her heart.

Yes, she wanted to explain, but what could she explain? Perhaps everything she said now would be nothing but weak and feeble excuses in the other person's eyes. Besides, she hadn't finished the storyline or completed the mission yet, and she still needed to—she needed to make Yin Li become stronger by relying on the protagonist's halo.

Falling off a cliff is better than being judged by various sects, and better than imprisonment.

The world remained silent. Some of the other elders, out of respect for Chu Qing's strength, and others out of respect for the status of Green Mountain Peak, did not speak.

Hua Qi could see her predicament, but he remained silent, waiting for a decision to be made.

Amidst swirling dust, the pale, white figure inexplicably exuded a sense of loneliness and helplessness.

Yin Li, it's your master's fault.

Chu Qing had finally regained her senses, but the gazes around her were like sharp, tangible blades, peeling away her skin inch by inch.

She forced herself to ignore them, her right hand gripping the blood-stained mirror, which was stained with blood of who-knows-who, and step by step, she walked toward that broken figure.

The rustling sound of footsteps on fallen leaves was like a final pronouncement of life.

One black and one white

One kneeling, one standing

One up and one down

One is always passionate like fire, the other is forever indifferent like ice.

When the familiar shoe tips appeared in her field of vision, Yin Li finally slowly raised her head, unusually calm.

"Yin Li, you—"

For the first time, "Master" Yin Li interrupted the other party so decisively.

Chu Qing remained silent and did not react.

"I only have one question for you." His tone was unusually calm. His back was still bleeding from the wound inflicted by the divine artifact, but he seemed oblivious and continued to smile.

It was nothing more than mockery and sarcasm.

"explain"

"Master, have you ever been tempted? Even if...?"

At this point, Yin Li's breathing became unsteady, and her voice became so hoarse that it almost broke apart, like a faint flame flickering in the wind, ready to be blown away at any moment: "Even—just a little bit?"

The light, as bright as a flashing eye, instantly pierced through all of Chu Qing's defenses. Her heart felt as if it were being torn apart, and the pain was overwhelming. Yet, the boy's body and mind were clearly enduring even more, like being stabbed and hacked.

Are you tempted?

How could there be none at all?

He was so sincere, his heart and eyes were filled with only one person, yet he exposed himself completely without any concealment, illuminating her soul that had been lonely for more than twenty years once again.

But she knew that if she admitted it, or even just nodded, Yin Li would obediently follow her back to Green Mountain Peak without fear, willingly being imprisoned.

However, a wider world awaits him to explore, and many opportunities will be presented to him, but what about himself?

I am nothing but a rootless duckweed, a lonely soul, and will never belong here.

Perhaps she should play the villain once and sever all ties completely, at least to ensure Yin Li's survival.

"Yin Li".

Pfft!

The sword tip pierced through flesh and blood, and blood gushed from his right chest. The next second, Yin Li heard the most vicious vow of his life.

"Our relationship is now severed!"

The powerful spiritual energy pushed him to the edge of the cliff, but Chu Qing didn't even blink. With a forceful pull of her arm, everything from the past vanished.

The tattered black robe traced an arc through the air, carrying scattered pebbles and yellow earth, before plummeting straight into the abyss.

This moment

Yin Li's heart was completely dead.

Master, I hate you.

I hate you so much.

The howling wind pierced his ears, and the grass and trees on the edge of the cliff tore at his cheeks and arms. Blood seeped from all the exposed skin. He felt his internal organs colliding and churning violently. The pain of each impact was clearly transmitted to his limbs, as if his bones had been hit hard. But none of this was even a fraction of the pain in his heart.

No, he can't die.

A flame was burning fiercely in Yin Li's heart, constantly expanding and eroding his reason inch by inch.

He couldn't just die like this, without knowing why. He needed to truly become stronger, to accomplish his great task, and even more importantly—

In my hazy state of consciousness, a familiar white figure flashed through my mind.

Master, you are the moon in the sky, but I will pluck you down and make you stained with the mud of the world, stained with my filthy and despicable blood!

——

On the cliff

The disciples were so shocked by the sudden turn of events that they were speechless and dared not even move.

Clang

Blood dripped from her hand, and Chu Qing barely managed to steady herself, thankfully not looking too disheveled to outsiders.

"Those that have fallen into the cliffs of this third secret realm since ancient times have never survived. Now that the wicked disciple has been eliminated, you should all take this as a warning and regroup."

Chu Qing swallowed the metallic taste in her throat and spoke firmly, her eyes regaining their clarity.

Soon, under Hua Qi's arrangement, the disciples of Qingshan Peak, who had been frozen in place, scattered in all directions. They were all silent, taking stock of the remnants of this absurd war. Elders from other sects, seeing this, also led their disciples to join in the cleanup.

On the edge of the cliff, only one person remained.

"Qingge—alas."

Hua Qi stepped forward and helped Chu Qing's swaying body, "Perhaps if we try our best, we can save Yin Li's life."

"It's come to this, there's no need to say more." She didn't push away Hua Qi's support, but just leaned against him quietly, her gaze fixed on the cliff below.

"Go back and recover. Wen Ruyu's words haven't been eliminated, and the hidden dangers remain. We need to make preparations as soon as possible."

Hua Qi opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing. All his unspoken words turned into a long sigh. No one could truly understand Chu Qingge's pain. He had always known that she was his most beloved disciple.

"Master."

The voice behind him was uncontrollable, and a strong urge to cry surged forth.

She forgot about Ling Xueluo.

Thankfully, she was somewhere else and didn't come over.

"Master, where is Senior Brother? Where did he go?"

"Ling Xueluo, go back."

Chu Qing refused to turn around, leaving only a heartless silhouette. She was so tired; she wanted to take a nap.

Thinking this way, she did just that. It seemed as if Hua Qi was calling her name, and Ling Xueluo was too, but those voices were sometimes near and sometimes far, ethereal and indistinct, and she was unwilling to respond anymore.

With her eyes closed, Chu Qing fell backward, plunging into complete darkness.

[Author's Note]

Oh my god, first of all, I'm so sorry for updating so late! (Sincere apology!)

I wrote over four thousand words this time. Well, the real reason is that I had to write twenty thousand words this week because of the activity update ranking... (bitter). However, writing this made me feel a little sad. Sigh, writing more is good too, to move the plot forward quickly, to get the two of them to break up and meet again as soon as possible, and then there will be more romantic storylines!

And one more thing!!! Don't worry, everyone, it's definitely a happy ending! I don't like sad endings either, so feel free to go for it. I'm just a kind (evil) author who enjoys a little bit of angst [cat emoji]